Amazon.com Inc. spent two decades hastening the demise of the traditional brick-and-mortar retail industry. So why would the tech giant spend $13.7 billion to acquire an organic-grocery chain with more than 460 stores?

The deal for Whole Foods Market Inc., which people familiar with the matter said came together quickly, presents Amazon with several potential gains. It could use the stores as distribution hubs to build out its...

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Amazon-Whole Foods Deal: 3 Things to Know

Amazon's $13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods Market makes the online retailer a major player in the grocery sector. WSJ's Tanya Rivero outlines three things to know about the deal. Photo: Zuma Press